Page 47 of A Sword of Shadow and Deceit

“You should’ve kept your nose out of my business, Maeryn,” Rahela spits at Maeryn, her irritation not subsiding even in the face of the news that a God will be with us soon.

“You shouldn’t have started this in the first place,” Maeryn replies.

Despite the confidence in her tone, I spot the jump of muscle at the back of her arm. The hand at her side trembles ever so slightly and she turns it, gripping the fabric of her uniform skirt. She’s not as brave as she acts. It makes me almost want to repent for antagonizing Rahela in the first place. To be fair, though, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get free myself, and if I were going to die at the hands of a Mortal God like her, I was going to go with no small amount of fury of my own.

Were it just me and the First Tier girl, there’s no doubt in my mind who’d win. She might have been trained in the Academy, but I’d been out in the real world and I wasn’t afraid to kill. I’d done it before and I’d damn well do it again if I needed to—that is, if I could get away with it without revealing my identity.

“This is nothing but a jealous fit of rage, Rahela,” Maeryn scoffs. “You need to get over it. Theos won’t care even if you harm his Terra. He never has before.”

My upper lip curls back. Theos? This was all about Theos? Is she fucking serious? I straighten and brush off Niall’s worried hands. I step forward just behind Maeryn. Rahela’s gaze moves to me and darkens.

“If you have something to say to my Master,” I say, my voice slightly rough but clear, “I’m happy to relay a message.”

Maeryn whirls on me and I’m suddenly struck by the petite beauty of a face that looks almost catlike. “No—” she says as Rahela interrupts.

“Yes.”

Maeryn glares at Rahela who, in turn, ignores her as she narrows her eyes on me. “You can tell your Master,” she spits the word, “that if his Terra is caught in any place she’s not supposed to be again, I’ll end you. Rules be damned.”

“Duly noted,” I say in response. And definitely not something I’ll ever relay to Theos or any of the Darkhavens. I don’t want to find out what kind of punishment they’ll exact on their own if they get irritated by this instance. I can’t forget their stupid bet either. Even if I’ve lasted this long, I don’t want them teaming up with this bitch to try and get me kicked out.

I have no doubt that if they smell blood or weakness, they’ll go seeking it out like a pack of hinterland wolves on the hunt.

“I suppose that wraps things up, then.” All four of us—Niall, Maeryn, Rahela, and even myself—jump at the sudden appearance of a new figure. Our heads jerk towards the tall, dark man walking across the courtyard grass towards us.

The Divine Being comes to a slow stop between Rahela and Maeryn, his shoulders straight and his arms clasped casually in front of himself. He turns his head, dark gaze falling on me. My entire body freezes. Though his facial features are youthful, there, in the depths of his deep soil-rich eyes, is endless time. Ageless knowing.

This is Caedmon. The God of Prophecy.

Rahela and Maeryn immediately lower their heads as does Niall. But not me. I can’t seem to even though I know I should. I want to. I’m entrapped by his attention. The eerie glow in his brown eyes flickers and then his expression lightens, his lips curving upward. I suck in a deep breath and am somehow released from whatever hold he had over me to lower my head as well.

“Rahela, it’s beneath you to go around tormenting the servants of the Academy,” Caedmon says lightly. The chastisement is clear despite his polite tone. “I understand you have a temperamental nature but please try to refrain. As a First Tier student, you must exemplify self-composure and dignity.”

In my periphery, I see her head dip down even further. “Yes, sir.” Rahela’s response is admitted through clenched teeth.

“Good, I’ll choose not to punish you this time,” Caedmon says, “but keep in mind that one instance of leniency does not guarantee two.”

The look Rahela sends me is full of venom and retribution. As far as Caedmon’s words go, they don’t appear to sway her at all. I resolve to keep my eyes open and to steer clear of her if I can manage it. It would be my most mindful option at this point.

“Good. You may go then.” Caedmon turns away, effectively dismissing her, and Rahela straightens, flashing me another look that promises this won’t be the last I see of her.

“Maeryn, I believe your Terra is quite shocked by the circumstances. Perhaps you should escort him to the Terra infirmary.”

I turn and glance at Niall at those words. It’s true he appears quite faint as he wobbles back and forth on his feet, gripping my soaking wet sleeve. Perhaps it’s the drop in his adrenaline now that Rahela is gone. Maeryn, too, pivots and gasps as she spots Niall. Quickly bypassing me, she takes him by the arm and gently urges him to lean on her. I eye her warily but clench my fists to keep them at my sides, to keep from reaching out to drag him back to me for safety.

I’ve never seen a Mortal God treat a Terra that way. No wonder Niall felt comfortable running to her in a time of need. My chest tightens. A good, kind Mortal God—the realization of it almost makes me feel like I’ve been in the presence of a mystical being from legend rather than an actual living, breathing person.

“Thank you, Caedmon. I’ll take him there,” Maeryn agrees, flashing an apologetic look at him before offering me a small smile.

Caedmon nods and then steps to the side as Maeryn urges Niall past the two of us. I watch the girl warily, but her face never reveals anything other than concern as she leads Niall away. Once they’re out of the courtyard, though, I have no other option than to face the God in front of me. My heartbeat races against my rib cage as I realize my new situation.

I’m left all alone with a pure-blooded God and those dangerous eyes of his, and I’m not exactly sure what to expect.

Chapter 21

Kiera

“Follow me.” Caedmon doesn’t say anything more as he turns around and begins walking in the opposite direction. For a brief second, I contemplate whether following him would be a smart idea, but if he wanted to … he could make me. Mortal God or not, Divine powers or not, he’s a God.

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